Dramatic interiors, jawdropping double volumes, a magnificent riverine setting and garden and ample space for a family or a group travelling together makes this Hout Bay property a special find indeed. Stepping through the imposing Indian antique carved wooden front doors, my first impression was just how vast this carefully conceived home and its beautifully manicured indigenous garden are. And that’s just the beginning.

The main homestead itself (there is also a spacious guest cottage on the property) is a thatched design, combining a myriad modern mores, with classic home-from-home spoils – but on a large scale, including a double sided hearth leading up to an 11m high ceiling – in fact the property itself is 8000m2! Luxe details include a 20m lap pool, a Le Canche stove (a serious spoil if you’re a vacationer who likes to cook and entertain), a state-of-the-art home automation system that practically thinks for you and lots of space for each and every guest to find a spot to call their own. I loved the massive master suite, with its view across the gardens and up to the mountain, and even though there is so much to do in the area, I can imagine that the peace and quiet makes it difficult for guests to leave.

Aesthetes will love how this elegant space is dressed in a palette of natural tones and textures – you’ll find handlaid reed ceilings overhead, impossibly perfect handpacked slate walls inside and out, tumbled Travertine tiles sourced in Turkey underfoot, the softest jute flooring upstairs and lots of lovely textured linen and fabric together creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Original African and European artworks bring a distinctive feel to the home and this, combined with bespoke furniture to suit the scale of the space makes it feel absolutely five-star yet like a very special and well conceived home. Which is what anyone could hope for on their holiday.

What we love!

• The seclusion, privacy and sense of space in a very private pocket of Hout Bay – only 10 minutes from the beach and 25 from the city
• The floodlit tennis court for daytime and after sunset summer games
• The opportunities for entertaining en masse – a central garden amphitheatre is a dramatic focal point where one could hold stylish soirees or let the children run amok while you enjoy G&T’s on the terrace
• The pool house for alfresco dining – definitely no jacket required!
• The herb and veggie garden for cooking straight from the source
• There is a spacious and equally stylish two bedroomed cottage on site – complete with its own orchard and an upstairs loft (perfect for teens!)
• The beautiful gardens, with indigenous plants and trees aplenty – from cycads to a gorgeous Yellowwood

What you need to know… 

• There are facilities for staff and a guard house if required by guests
• A housekeeper and/or cook can be arranged for guests
• The owners can configure bedrooms as you wish to cater for twin bed or king/queen setups
• The home is reached by dirt road although no 4×4’s are required
• The property is safeguarded with a state-of-the-art security system
• There is underfloor heating throughout the home and air conditioning in the master suite
• The indigenous garden is green year-round and indoor water will soon be provided via an off-grid filtration plant

Reviewed by Vicki Sleet